Broadcaster Canned for Sexist Remark

ESPN has fired announcer Ron Franklin due to inappropriate comments made towards sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards. The network reportedly pulled Franklin from its Saturday night radio broadcast of the Fiesta Bowl after learning about the incident. According to the website SportsbyBrooks.com, the two were at a production meeting on Friday that was also attended by announcers Ed Cunningham and Rod Gilmore. When Edwards tried to get into a conversation between the three men, Franklin reportedly said, “why don’t you leave this to the boys, sweetcakes.” After Edwards protested to Franklin’s choice of words, he allegedly called her an “a**hole.” The 68-year-old Franklin, who had worked with ESPN since 1987, issued a public apology on Monday saying he “deserved” to be removed from the broadcast, but the network released a statement Tuesday saying it has cut all ties with the announcer. Franklin was previously reprimanded after he referred to female sideline reporter Holly Rowe as “sweetheart” during a 2005 broadcast.